Counter-Terrorism Committee conducts first visit to Malawi

Acting on behalf of the Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee, its Executive Directorate (CTED) conducted a visit to Malawi from 22 to 26 April 2024. The assessment, which was a first for Malawi, covered all relevant Security Council resolutions, including 1373 (2001), 2178 (2014), 2396 (2017), and 2617 (2021). 

CTED conducts these visits to assess Member States’ counter-terrorism efforts, including progress made, good practices, remaining challenges, and priority areas for technical assistance needs related to the effective implementation of the relevant Security Council resolutions.

The visiting delegation was led by Mr. Marc Porret, CTED Chief of Section for Africa, and consisted of CTED experts on criminal justice, international and regional cooperation, financial law and practice, law enforcement and border control, and human rights. Experts from United Nations bodies and regional and international organizations were also part of the delegation, representing the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the International Organization for Migration (IOM); and the Eastern and Southern Africa Anti-Money Laundering Group (ESAAMLG).

In accordance with the practice followed for the Committee’s previous visits, discussions also included the role of women in countering terrorism and violent extremism conducive to terrorism, as well as human rights, refugee and humanitarian law aspects of counter-terrorism.

As an integral part of the official assessment, the delegation held meetings with representatives of civil society organizations, including a dedicated meeting with women-led civil society organizations, as well as separate meetings with the United Nations Resident Coordinator Office and the development partners community.

The delegation also conducted on-site visits to Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe, the one-stop border post between Malawi and Zambia, Monkey Bay Port, and held meetings with local government and traditional authorities of Mangochi Boma (close to the border with Mozambique).